Yes, you are spending more time at the office

If it seems like you’re spending more time working since the recession began, two things: You likely aren’t imagining it, and you likely aren’t alone.

A new survey of more than 300 companies in the United States and Canada finds that nearly two-thirds of employers say their workers have been asked to put in more hours than normal over the past three years.

Psychotherapist Robi Ludwig and psychologist Jeff Gardere talk about when your partner's job takes priority over marriage, which happens increasingly in this economy, and how to strike an appropriate balance.

About half expect the longer hours to continue for the next three years as well, according to the survey from professional services company Towers Watson.

Senior and middle managers were the most likely to say they were working more, according to a separate Towers Watson survey of employees.

Not only are people working more, many also are taking less time off. Nearly one-third of employers also said their workers have been taking less vacation or personal time in the last three years. 

Your bosses may be asking you to do more, but chances are they recognize it’s tough on you. A little more than half of U.S. employers, and a little less than half of the Canadian employers, said they knew the changes they made were hurting their employees’ ability to have a healthy work/life balance.

Still, Towers Watson noted that companies may be underestimating the effect work-related stress and poor work/life balance will have on their ability to keep their best workers. That’s something many employers haven’t had to worry much about through the weak economy, but that may become a bigger issue as the economy improves.

Related:

You're working harder, they're making money

Job-hopping could cost you, if you're American

Are you putting in more work hours than three years ago?

Results with 55 short comments
Total of 5,374 votes - click on the "Display Comments" bar below to sort comments

78.8%
Yes
4,234 votes
15.7%
No
846 votes
5.5%
No, in that I lost my job
294 votes
Display Comments:
No

I left - and it was a good decision

  • 1 vote
 - 7:51 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
Yes

More hours, more pressure, higher expectations every quarter... not fun

  • 1 vote
 - 8:22 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
No, in that I lost my job

When, pray tell, is the economy going to get better?

  • 2 votes
 - 8:24 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
Yes

Our CEO said if we aren't putting in 12 hour days, we aren't doing our jobs - and he's downsizing. There's really nowhere for me to go.

  • 2 votes
 - 8:37 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
Yes

also can't take vacations because we can't afford it

  • 2 votes
 - 9:00 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
Yes

more now than ever... And without pay...

  • 3 votes
 - 9:31 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
No

Three years ago, my job has cut back any overtime. I used to depend on that money. If longer hours are coming back I look forward to it.

     - 9:37 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
    No, in that I lost my job

    Corporations squeeze the lifeblood from their employees, assuring them all the while that they're readily replaceable.

    • 4 votes
     - 9:45 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
    Yes

    Of course employers know there are few options if you don't like it. I makes it easy for them to demand what they want.

       - 9:45 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
      Yes

      I have to so that I can keep my health insurance benefits, even though the premium is such a big chunk out of my pay check!

      • 1 vote
       - 10:01 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
      Yes

      We went from 35-40 hour week, pay stays the same.

      • 1 vote
       - 10:04 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
      No

      This so called "article" contains no statistics.

         - 10:04 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
        No

        You pay me, I'll work more. You don't pay me, I don't work. It is the benefit of running my own business. And its growing.

        • 3 votes
         - 10:11 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
        No

        I'm still putting in too many hours.

        • 1 vote
         - 10:16 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
        Yes

        still work 9 hour days, but now i have fewer sick days and taking a vacation day make the boss as happy as setting her on fire.

        • 1 vote
         - 10:19 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
        Yes

        I work in Public Accounting. I work more than 90% of the country as it is...this is just gravy.

           - 10:36 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
          Yes

          Like the old joke when the boss says... If you're not planning on working Saturday don't even bother to show up on Sunday.

          Maybe not a jok

          • 1 vote
           - 10:39 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
          Yes

          All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

          • 2 votes
           - 11:04 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
          No

          Heck no, I'm not working a minute over 40.

             - 11:23 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
            Yes

            We've had to make up the difference of losing people that haven't been replaced.

            • 7 votes
             - 11:26 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
            Yes

            My husband is working more hours for the same amount of pay...stingy boss. It is killing him but at 57 years of age there aren't any jobs.

            • 6 votes
             - swraybw
             - 11:31 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
            No

            I'm not, but I know those who are, for the same pay. Their companies are laying off, and execs are getting huge bonuses.

            • 4 votes
             - 11:39 am EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
            Yes

            if only there was a way average workers could ban together to demand better working conditions from employers, I wonder what we call that?

            • 5 votes
             - 12:14 pm EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
            No

            My boss is one who actually understands work-life balance.

            • 1 vote
             - 12:16 pm EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011
            No, in that I lost my job

            I'd like to thank the rest of you employed people for working harder to keep the rest of us out of work, while keeping company profits high

            • 2 votes
             - 12:18 pm EDT on Tue Oct 11, 2011

            Discuss this post

            You're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead.
            As a new user, you may notice a few temporary content restrictions. Click here for more info.